Phal Conundrum

[j0ker918]

I need all the geek help I can get on this one.

I purchased this phal this past spring from a nursery for it's huge and numerous deep lavender/fuschia colored blooms. After the flowers dropped, I repotted it several months ago into the standard Home depot $3 spaghnum and packed it pretty good in a large pot with a small drainage hole at the bottom. This was before I joined and started learning. Since then it started with a new growth. I decided before the growth became too sensitive to go ahead and repot the plant one more time loosely in AAA NZ spaghnum in a smaller net pot suspended mid-air in a larger pot by the rim.

To my dismay, all the roots were dead. There was a possible 0.5 inch yellow/salvageable root that I decided to keep on. That would explain why the leaves have gotten so wrinkled and soft. The problem is, the plant is making it difficult for me to use some techniques from other threads such as soaking the plant, bagging the crown upside down, or bagging it completely and hiding it in the shade somewhere because of the spike and new bloom it's trying to push out. It's like trying to commit suicide by spending all its energy throwing out another spike instead of rebuilding its roots!!! Why is it being so illogical!?

Only thing i can think of to give it moisture without sacrificing my first rebloom is to put ziploc bags around the leaves and put in a warm wet folded paper towel in each bag. The bags filled up with humidity immediately, and I folded the edges of the bags over so that the paper towel is in the most dependent part and water can collect there without touching the leaves. I don't know if this is going to do anything or just kill the orchid faster.

Does anyone else have any better suggestions? I do not want to throw this orchid away or cut the spike if I can avoid it... but I do have a Sogo Yukidian on my list to get next if I have too.

Poor orchid, looks like ET when he was quarantined.

[jsehorn]

I hate to say it, but you definitely need to cut the spike. Flower production is very costly to the plant, and if the plant is already weakened, letting it bloom could be the last nail in the coffin.

[j0ker918]

If I were to do that, I would just toss it and order an upgraded phal- one with a pedigree and extra awesomeness.

Maybe, I'll just torture it and let it hold out as long as it can so I can enjoy its "death bloom."

[jsehorn]

If it's practically rootless, it's going to take a lot of time and effort to save it. I say if it's not worth the trouble to you, go ahead and toss it and get a new one. Now that you know about proper care, it will probably be much more rewarding.

And haha, I love that "death bloom"

[JudyC]

Awwwe such a shame - being a novice - I'd definitely try salvaging it by cutting the spike........you've gone this far

The others know far more than me, but then again I don't have many plants

[Hummer344]

Hey, don't feel bad. There is not one of us that haven't killed an orchid or two along the way.(a lot more in my case). You learn by your mistakes.

[1joyceh]

Well, you never know, your "new" technique may just work??
The leaves should be taken out of the bag periodically for air...
give her some good root stimulator, and see what happens, you know the worse that could happen, but you are like me....hoping for the best
keep us posted and good luck !